President Aquino delegates power to inspect accounts of suspected tax cheats to DOF chief
It will now be easier for foreign tax authorities to request information on suspected tax cheats in the country.
Executive Order (EO) No. 56, signed by President Benigno Aquino III on September 6, has delegated the authority to order the opening for inspection of income tax returns of selected taxpayers suspected of tax evasion to the Secretary of the Department of Finance.
The directive was issued as part of the country’s commitment to combat international tax avoidance and evasion and to help address tax issues that may affect international trade and investment, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa said on Saturday.
“We recognize that tax information is oftentimes necessary for authorities in other countries to build cases against individuals charged with certain crimes in their jurisdictions. This EO seeks to make it easier to share that information.”
Republic Act (RA) No. 10021, or the Exchange of Information on Tax Matters Act of 2009, ensures compliance with the commitments of the Philippine government under existing tax treaties and international conventions and authorizes the BIR to exchange information on tax matters with its foreign counterparts to help combat international tax evasion. Specifically, the law allows a requesting foreign tax authority to study the income tax returns of taxpayers, upon approval of the President.
In EO 56, the Chief Executive delegates this duty to the finance chief, according to Ochoa.
EO 56 noted that since RA 10021 does not require the President to personally order the opening of accounts of specific taxpayers subject of a request, such authority may be exercised by his alter ego, in this case the DOF chief.
“Whereas, under the doctrine of qualified political agency, except in cases when the President is required by the Constitution or law to act personally or the exigencies of the situation demand that he acts personally, the multifarious executive and administrative functions of the President are performed by and through the executive departments, and the acts of the Secretaries of such departments, performed and promulgated in the regular course of business, are presumptively the acts of the President,” the EO stated.
Ochoa added that aside from being the President’s alter ego, the DOF Secretary was in the best position to review and assess requests from foreign tax authorities since his department oversees the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), which is tasked to recommend action on such requests.
The President also directed the Secretary of Finance to issue specific rules and regulations that will govern the inspection of income tax returns, upon the recommendation of the BIR Commissioner.
The EO warned that any information received by a foreign tax authority as a result of the opening of the accounts “shall be treated by the authority as absolutely confidential in nature” and “shall be disclosed only to persons or authorities, including courts and administrative bodies, involved in the assessment or collection of, the enforcement or prosecution in respect of, or the determination of appeals in relation to, the taxes covered by such conventions or agreements.(PCOO)
Aquino declares Sept. 12-17 as Printing Industry Week
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared September 12 to 17, 2011 as “Printing Industry Week,” coinciding with the 15th National Printers Convention and Print Philippines 2011.
Proclamation No. 251 was signed on September 7, 2011 by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. to recognize “the significant role of the printing industry in the economy through the recording, preserving and disseminating of knowledge and information.”
The proclamation also aims to promote “an environment conducive to the growth and competitiveness of private enterprises, particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Printing Industries Association of the Philippines Inc. (PIAP) will hold its convention on September 12-13 at the Heritage Hotel, EDSA corner Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.
The PIAP will hold the Print Philippines 2011 event on Sept. 14 -17 at the World Trade Center on Roxas Blvd. corner Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. in Pasay City.
The theme of the events is "Sustaining Growth through Continuous Innovation".
PIAP is one of the biggest associations of graphic art practitioners with some 600 members.(PCOO)
Ochoa: Anti-terrorism law needs more teeth
Malacañang is pushing Congress to amend key provisions in the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007 to boost the government’s anti-terrorism initiatives, strengthen prosecution of suspected terrorists and address possible abuse of the law by authorities.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., who also chairs the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), said on Saturday that the changes the Palace is seeking are designed to give more teeth to the law and make the measure consistent with existing international agreements and Philippine laws.
“The government recognizes that terrorism is a constant threat that requires us to be vigilant. After reviewing our counter-terrorism initiatives, we decided to focus on strengthening anti-terror legislation to make it more responsive to the threats posed by terrorists,” Ochoa said.
A bill proposing amendments to the HSA, which was enacted in 2007 in response to calls for stronger anti-terrorist legislation, is one of the priority legislative measures President Benigno Aquino III has asked congressional leaders to pass.
Ochoa said one of the major changes in the law the government wants lawmakers to consider is to further define terrorism as acts punishable under certain provisions of the Revised Penal Code with the intent, by its nature or context, to either sow and create a condition of fear and panic among the populace, or to coerce the government or an institution imbued with public interest to give in to certain demands.
Under the law, terrorism is punishable by 40 years imprisonment without the benefit of parole.
To strengthen prosecution, Ochoa said there is a need to remove sections of the HSA that require authorities to inform suspected terrorists that they are under surveillance and their bank accounts are subject of investigations, as well as the portion of the law that disallows the application of the law one month before and two months after an election.
“These provisions defeat the whole purpose of covert surveillance and investigations by the authorities,” he said. “We want these amended to make our law a more effective tool in our efforts to prevent terrorism.”
The Executive Secretary said Congress should consider modifying the HSA provision that entitles a suspected terrorist acquitted by a court or wrongly detained by authorities to claim damages of P500,000 per day for every day of detention, to P500,000 for the duration of the detention. The proposed monetary penalty is over and above the amounts provided in any other existing laws, he added.
A review of the law by the ATC also underscored the need to strengthen the HSA to guarantee the right of a person suspected of the crime of terrorism to counsel at any time of the day, and for foreign nationals, the right to communicate with a representative of his or her state.
To deter abuse of of the HSA, the ATC proposes that law enforcement agents be required to report within 30 days, to the CA division that authorized their surveillance and bank examinations, the results of their investigations––to allow the said CA division to assess the legitimacy of their operations.
“While our goal is to strengthen the law, amendments are also necessary to ensure that the law will not be abused. We believe that ensuring the security of our citizens should not come at the expense of their civil liberties,” Ochoa explained.(PCOO)
Aquino leads unveiling of historical marker in Aquino house in Tarlac
CONCEPCION, Tarlac: President Benigno Aquino III led Saturday the unveiling of marker of the Aquino family ancestral house in Concepcion, Tarlac, declared by the National Historical Commission (NHC) as historical site in 1987.
The NHC said the government declared the Aquino ancestral house as a landmark because of its historical significance being the home of well-known patriots from the Aquino clan.
Three generations of Aquinos lived in the house since it was built in 1939. General Servillano Aquino, the great grandfather of the present President lived in the house.
General Aquino was a Katipunero who joined the revolution against the Spaniards. He also fought the Americans during the Filipino-American war.
The President’s grandfather, Benigno Aquino Sr. also lived in the house. Aquino Sr. was the speaker of the national assembly, became a Tarlac representative, a senator and secretary of agriculture and commerce.
Also, Benigno Aquino Jr., the father of the president resided in the ancestral house when he was the mayor of Concepcion town. He then became Tarlac governor and eventually senator. He fought the dictatorial leadership of former President Ferdinand Marcos and was assassinated in August 1983.
NHC declared the Aquino home historical landmark in 1987 based on its board resolution 1 series of 1987.
Since its building in 1939 with the help of wood craftsmen from Pampanga, the surviving Aquino family members decided to renovate the house this year so the public could appreciate its historical value.
Aside from unveiling of the marker, the President was in Concepcion Saturday to join other Aquino family members in celebrating the 80th birthday of Maria Aurora Aquino Lichauco, the President’s aunt. Aquino-Lichauco is the eldest of all the seven Aquino siblings.
Among those who joined the occasion were Aquino family members, Rep. Jesli Lapuz (Tarlac District III), Concepcion Mayor Noel Villanueva and Concepcion barangay officials.(PCOO)
Malacanang enjoins Filipino people to renew commitment to world peace in remembering 9/11 tragedy
The Filipino people join the world in commemorating the 10th anniversary of the September 11 (9/11) terror attacks.
“A decade after the terror attacks on New York City and Washington, DC, the world pauses in solemn remembrance of the grievous losses in lives on that day,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement.
Valte said, “The Filipino people join the world in commemorating the heroism demonstrated in so many ways on that day, too. Most of all, this is a day for all nations and peoples to reaffirm their commitment to peace and stability built on mutual respect and dialogue between cultures and religions.”
The September 11 attacks were a series of four coordinated suicide attacks by al-Qaida, a militant Islamist group, against targets in New York and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001.
The group hijacked four commercial aircraft. They crashed one into each tower of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York City, causing the twin towers to collapse.
The third plane crashed into the U.S. Department of Defense headquarters, the Pentagon, in Arlington County, Virginia, just outside the capital, Washington, D.C.
The fourth plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers fought back against the hijackers.
The attacks were the most lethal ever by a foreign force on the U.S., and the first upon the mainland since the War of 1812.(PCOO)
It will now be easier for foreign tax authorities to request information on suspected tax cheats in the country.
Executive Order (EO) No. 56, signed by President Benigno Aquino III on September 6, has delegated the authority to order the opening for inspection of income tax returns of selected taxpayers suspected of tax evasion to the Secretary of the Department of Finance.
The directive was issued as part of the country’s commitment to combat international tax avoidance and evasion and to help address tax issues that may affect international trade and investment, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa said on Saturday.
“We recognize that tax information is oftentimes necessary for authorities in other countries to build cases against individuals charged with certain crimes in their jurisdictions. This EO seeks to make it easier to share that information.”
Republic Act (RA) No. 10021, or the Exchange of Information on Tax Matters Act of 2009, ensures compliance with the commitments of the Philippine government under existing tax treaties and international conventions and authorizes the BIR to exchange information on tax matters with its foreign counterparts to help combat international tax evasion. Specifically, the law allows a requesting foreign tax authority to study the income tax returns of taxpayers, upon approval of the President.
In EO 56, the Chief Executive delegates this duty to the finance chief, according to Ochoa.
EO 56 noted that since RA 10021 does not require the President to personally order the opening of accounts of specific taxpayers subject of a request, such authority may be exercised by his alter ego, in this case the DOF chief.
“Whereas, under the doctrine of qualified political agency, except in cases when the President is required by the Constitution or law to act personally or the exigencies of the situation demand that he acts personally, the multifarious executive and administrative functions of the President are performed by and through the executive departments, and the acts of the Secretaries of such departments, performed and promulgated in the regular course of business, are presumptively the acts of the President,” the EO stated.
Ochoa added that aside from being the President’s alter ego, the DOF Secretary was in the best position to review and assess requests from foreign tax authorities since his department oversees the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), which is tasked to recommend action on such requests.
The President also directed the Secretary of Finance to issue specific rules and regulations that will govern the inspection of income tax returns, upon the recommendation of the BIR Commissioner.
The EO warned that any information received by a foreign tax authority as a result of the opening of the accounts “shall be treated by the authority as absolutely confidential in nature” and “shall be disclosed only to persons or authorities, including courts and administrative bodies, involved in the assessment or collection of, the enforcement or prosecution in respect of, or the determination of appeals in relation to, the taxes covered by such conventions or agreements.(PCOO)
Aquino declares Sept. 12-17 as Printing Industry Week
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared September 12 to 17, 2011 as “Printing Industry Week,” coinciding with the 15th National Printers Convention and Print Philippines 2011.
Proclamation No. 251 was signed on September 7, 2011 by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. to recognize “the significant role of the printing industry in the economy through the recording, preserving and disseminating of knowledge and information.”
The proclamation also aims to promote “an environment conducive to the growth and competitiveness of private enterprises, particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Printing Industries Association of the Philippines Inc. (PIAP) will hold its convention on September 12-13 at the Heritage Hotel, EDSA corner Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.
The PIAP will hold the Print Philippines 2011 event on Sept. 14 -17 at the World Trade Center on Roxas Blvd. corner Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. in Pasay City.
The theme of the events is "Sustaining Growth through Continuous Innovation".
PIAP is one of the biggest associations of graphic art practitioners with some 600 members.(PCOO)
Ochoa: Anti-terrorism law needs more teeth
Malacañang is pushing Congress to amend key provisions in the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007 to boost the government’s anti-terrorism initiatives, strengthen prosecution of suspected terrorists and address possible abuse of the law by authorities.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., who also chairs the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), said on Saturday that the changes the Palace is seeking are designed to give more teeth to the law and make the measure consistent with existing international agreements and Philippine laws.
“The government recognizes that terrorism is a constant threat that requires us to be vigilant. After reviewing our counter-terrorism initiatives, we decided to focus on strengthening anti-terror legislation to make it more responsive to the threats posed by terrorists,” Ochoa said.
A bill proposing amendments to the HSA, which was enacted in 2007 in response to calls for stronger anti-terrorist legislation, is one of the priority legislative measures President Benigno Aquino III has asked congressional leaders to pass.
Ochoa said one of the major changes in the law the government wants lawmakers to consider is to further define terrorism as acts punishable under certain provisions of the Revised Penal Code with the intent, by its nature or context, to either sow and create a condition of fear and panic among the populace, or to coerce the government or an institution imbued with public interest to give in to certain demands.
Under the law, terrorism is punishable by 40 years imprisonment without the benefit of parole.
To strengthen prosecution, Ochoa said there is a need to remove sections of the HSA that require authorities to inform suspected terrorists that they are under surveillance and their bank accounts are subject of investigations, as well as the portion of the law that disallows the application of the law one month before and two months after an election.
“These provisions defeat the whole purpose of covert surveillance and investigations by the authorities,” he said. “We want these amended to make our law a more effective tool in our efforts to prevent terrorism.”
The Executive Secretary said Congress should consider modifying the HSA provision that entitles a suspected terrorist acquitted by a court or wrongly detained by authorities to claim damages of P500,000 per day for every day of detention, to P500,000 for the duration of the detention. The proposed monetary penalty is over and above the amounts provided in any other existing laws, he added.
A review of the law by the ATC also underscored the need to strengthen the HSA to guarantee the right of a person suspected of the crime of terrorism to counsel at any time of the day, and for foreign nationals, the right to communicate with a representative of his or her state.
To deter abuse of of the HSA, the ATC proposes that law enforcement agents be required to report within 30 days, to the CA division that authorized their surveillance and bank examinations, the results of their investigations––to allow the said CA division to assess the legitimacy of their operations.
“While our goal is to strengthen the law, amendments are also necessary to ensure that the law will not be abused. We believe that ensuring the security of our citizens should not come at the expense of their civil liberties,” Ochoa explained.(PCOO)
Aquino leads unveiling of historical marker in Aquino house in Tarlac
CONCEPCION, Tarlac: President Benigno Aquino III led Saturday the unveiling of marker of the Aquino family ancestral house in Concepcion, Tarlac, declared by the National Historical Commission (NHC) as historical site in 1987.
The NHC said the government declared the Aquino ancestral house as a landmark because of its historical significance being the home of well-known patriots from the Aquino clan.
Three generations of Aquinos lived in the house since it was built in 1939. General Servillano Aquino, the great grandfather of the present President lived in the house.
General Aquino was a Katipunero who joined the revolution against the Spaniards. He also fought the Americans during the Filipino-American war.
The President’s grandfather, Benigno Aquino Sr. also lived in the house. Aquino Sr. was the speaker of the national assembly, became a Tarlac representative, a senator and secretary of agriculture and commerce.
Also, Benigno Aquino Jr., the father of the president resided in the ancestral house when he was the mayor of Concepcion town. He then became Tarlac governor and eventually senator. He fought the dictatorial leadership of former President Ferdinand Marcos and was assassinated in August 1983.
NHC declared the Aquino home historical landmark in 1987 based on its board resolution 1 series of 1987.
Since its building in 1939 with the help of wood craftsmen from Pampanga, the surviving Aquino family members decided to renovate the house this year so the public could appreciate its historical value.
Aside from unveiling of the marker, the President was in Concepcion Saturday to join other Aquino family members in celebrating the 80th birthday of Maria Aurora Aquino Lichauco, the President’s aunt. Aquino-Lichauco is the eldest of all the seven Aquino siblings.
Among those who joined the occasion were Aquino family members, Rep. Jesli Lapuz (Tarlac District III), Concepcion Mayor Noel Villanueva and Concepcion barangay officials.(PCOO)
Malacanang enjoins Filipino people to renew commitment to world peace in remembering 9/11 tragedy
The Filipino people join the world in commemorating the 10th anniversary of the September 11 (9/11) terror attacks.
“A decade after the terror attacks on New York City and Washington, DC, the world pauses in solemn remembrance of the grievous losses in lives on that day,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement.
Valte said, “The Filipino people join the world in commemorating the heroism demonstrated in so many ways on that day, too. Most of all, this is a day for all nations and peoples to reaffirm their commitment to peace and stability built on mutual respect and dialogue between cultures and religions.”
The September 11 attacks were a series of four coordinated suicide attacks by al-Qaida, a militant Islamist group, against targets in New York and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001.
The group hijacked four commercial aircraft. They crashed one into each tower of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York City, causing the twin towers to collapse.
The third plane crashed into the U.S. Department of Defense headquarters, the Pentagon, in Arlington County, Virginia, just outside the capital, Washington, D.C.
The fourth plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers fought back against the hijackers.
The attacks were the most lethal ever by a foreign force on the U.S., and the first upon the mainland since the War of 1812.(PCOO)
